Elati Arkadias, Greece

Elati Arkadias, Greece

The second International Retreat, held in Greece, had twenty participants and was run by the author of the courses, Belzebuub, and his wife Edith. Seven students and one Teacher from Athens, six students from European countries, and four more students from remote locations: New Zealand, Australia and the USA came together in one place. Everyone combined their efforts so that this retreat, under Belzebuub's guidance, could bring about a change - in more ways than one.

From the beginning, this retreat was not intended to be a simple event in which people came to practice and then leave, with things remaining more or less the same. Rather, it was aimed at bringing about spiritual growth and development. Students were encouraged to talk with one another freely and without barriers to communication. The fresh interactions resulting from this helped build a great strength and rapport amongst all of the participants, and even though many people already knew one another online, undoubtedly many new friendships were formed.

In the true spirit of a retreat, there were inspiring and motivating talks given and intensive spiritual exercises carried out. Belzebuub spoke about and clarified what is needed to carry out the spiritual work successfully, aiming to annihilate any illusions that anyone may have had about it. He also talked about the benefits of the esoteric work and gave motivating talks about the qualities of the consciousness - such as peace and love, and about the parts of the Being that can be reclaimed on the spiritual path and the changes caused by that.

Special emphasis was placed on observing oneself and eliminating the negative, subconscious elements(egos), without forcing these things mentally or doing them mechanically. This was to learn how to achieve the other goal of the retreat, which was to investigate how to carry out the spiritual work in daily life naturally and intensively. To practice and accomplish this aim, several walks were taken in the beautiful fir forests of Elati, dedicated to practicing these exercises and achieving inner peace and silence. Belzebuub also clarified the real use of astral experiences in the esoteric work.

With this in mind, students both prepared for and practiced astral projection at night. The natural environment of the retreat venue was used to prepare for these practices and often for concentration/visualization exercises; the beautiful, starry night time sky was perfect for making reality checks and practicing self-observation. Some students had astral experiences, whether through consciously projecting or waking up in dreams, but ultimately everyone benefited and learned something from the practices that were done.

This retreat was the first retreat that many of the people attending had ever been on, and a true boost to the spiritual work for everyone.

Here are some photos and comments from this retreat:

The retreat was held at the "Chalet Elati," hidden away in the forests of Greece

Belzebuub giving a talk

Group lunches and dinners were at the famous "Bytina" restaurant

L-R: Sabrina, Stephen, Jon and Anders

L-R: Stephen, Tolis and Yionik

Lucia, Ianos, Anders, Alex and Panos

Kevin and Leonidas have a chat at the "Thkyessa" restaurant

Edith at the Athens center

Stephen and Anders relaxing back at the center

Group shot on the meeting room balcony

Sitting, L-R: Panos, Rupert, Nassos, Ioannis, Sabrina
Standing, L-R: Elisabeth, Pau, Jon, Edith, Belzebuub, Anders, Lucia, Tolis, Kevin, Leonidas, Ianos, Alex, Igor, Stephen

The retreat took place in a very nice location in the mountains of Greece, despite us being surrounded by several tourists and other people, the atmosphere had something special to it. We arrived sort of late the night of the 24th after several hours of driving with the minibuses, so we couldn't see much of the landscapes until the next day. That night we all sat around Edith while she enthusiastically explained to us the astral practice we would be carrying out that night. Although I didn't have any success with it due to my tiredness, the motivation and inspiration she placed in us could be felt in the group and it lasted for the following days of the retreat.

I personally didn't have any success with my astral practices, but my dreams began to get clearer and clearer since the first night and have continued to do so even now some days after the retreat. It was a pity we all had to leave so soon, just when everything seemed to be running and we were getting more into the practices, growing more as a group, when finally all the other tourists had left (although the owner of the chalets would persist with his distracting, loud music), and the place was more peaceful and quiet.

We all knew it would have of course been better if we'd had the place only for ourselves, but the strength the group was generating could be felt, motivating and pushing us forward nonetheless. A group strength that I would fail to see during the retreat, but that I could feel the moment after we all departed when I had to continue with my practices on my own, there was something missing, that strength was slowly fading away. Despite this, my practices have gotten a good boost, as well as my determination to succeed with this work. I have the feeling this will be the final turning point of my life where I go for this with all my heart, it is now or never. Hopefully, the next retreat will be something I can appreciate more in this sense, since this was my first and I never really knew what the group strength really was until this point.

During the retreat we focused mostly on finding and keeping the internal peace, the natural awareness and death of the egos. For this we had walks everyday, 3 walks the day after our arrival which turned to be a little exhausting but which began to show us the pace at which work is needed to make real spiritual progress. About this I got some valuable tips on things I had been doing wrong, I realized how half-heartedly I had been practicing, and I got clarified important points on how to practice my awareness more naturally. It was emphasized how things should be done in a very natural way without forcing or turning anything into something mechanical, the guidance we received to do this was invaluable, as well as the emphasis that was put on personal hard work and experience. We would also sit as a group and discuss many things with Master Belzebuub every day, which was a very rewarding, although personally scary in the beginning, experience. Scary and discouraging in the beginning, when the Master focused on transmitting us a message of the toughness and reality of this work, which began by stating that our practices that day had been rubbish. That left me with a feeling of uneasiness for the rest of the day, faced with the reality of my poor work on myself and realizing the efforts I actually needed to put in. Having established that, he then moved through the following days to explain how rewarding and beautiful the work was at the same time, culminating in an amazing speech about love, about the beauty of life and the work at our last supper as a group, when we all felt a special drive to sit around him at the restaurant after eating. That speech was a very special gift all the people in the retreat received, one I am grateful for.

I personally can't wait for the next retreat to take place, and hopefully take out of it at least as much as I took out of this one.

Pau (Spain)

This retreat was my second one, and I have to say that I'm glad I went. At first I wasn't sure what to expect because I didn't see how one retreat with a similar structure to the last could really be that different. I was totally wrong, and it was a very fresh experience. I feel this time I benefited more than last from listening to Belzebuub speak. I found him quite inspiring, and even more personable - due perhaps to some changes within - than last time, and it was a big reward to get direct teachings. Edith also gave us some motivating talks and exercises, for which I'm thankful.

I went in really wanting to experience peace this time, but I still didn't quite get it. Nonetheless, thanks to the clarification about mechanical and mental self-observation being simply incorrect, I'm more inspired now to push and to get it right. I was especially touched, quite surprisingly, when Belzebuub told us that the results of our self-observation exercises were rubbish! It was because we hadn't been doing the spiritual work properly in ordinary daily life as well. I felt that his words were quite accurate, and I want to do something about it now. I also have started to view the astral as more of a tool than an end, when before I was perhaps guilty of giving it too much importance.

Talking with all the different students of Europe from different countries was a big treat as well. There's such a big difference between talking online and in person - the two are incomparable! As a result I have some more European contacts, and I've picked up some more Greek too.

I think the most important lesson we were given in the retreat was that we have to give our 100% and be sincere - which means wanting to do it and understanding why - if we want to be successful in the spiritual work. I know I'm not giving mine yet, but I'm clearer about what I have to do now.

With the new center starting in Berkeley and various other events taking place worldwide, I hope all of us can bring about the changes that the retreat was aimed at causing.

Kevin (USA)

The retreat was great and I came away strong after the practice and meeting all those nice other strange fellows like me (smile). It was so good to meet Master Belzebuub and Edith - they give so much encouragement and at the same time a little of the boot, which I know I need to move on.

I was somewhat encouraged also to hear of Belzebuub's early days starting up practices with little faith. This made me think I was not so useless and could help others now with my small amounts of experiences. And what a great last speech - truly inspiring!

This was a worthwhile retreat and I was lucky to be there with you all. It helped a lot and my only possible comment is that it could be made longer.

Thanks for organising the retreat, Ioanni. It was good see you again and so nice to meet the others and put a face to the people I've only met otherwise in the forums.

Jon (France)

This retreat was the first opportunity for me to attend a gathering like this and to meet like-minded people in person, many of whom I know from online discussions and forums.

The location of the event was very nice, with a special air of timelessness, while the surrounding fir forests were just awakening from winter sleep. On our walks, the emphasis was put on investigating the practice of the Elimination of the Ego and how to do it naturally, without the interference of the mind. Then, in the evenings we talked about our experiences with Master Belzebuub, who pushed us to find out more and to go deeper into our investigations.

During the walks I realised the importance of strong resolution to stay in a special state of alertness, so that the egos could not enter my psyche inconspicuously. I found that there is often a lack of will to keep this alertness in my daily life, which then results in the Elimination being mechanical and, eventually, lacking completely.

The evening gatherings around the fireplace had an unforgettable atmosphere; the discussions were often very engrossing, with the time passing unbelievably quickly. Belzebuub and Edith emphasized continously the need to work hard and not to make any compromises. A special emphasis was also put on being practical and not to fall into the trap of intellectualism, which causes many people to become stuck in their work.

Although the event is over, the strength from it is still resonating within me, as well as a certain inner peace, which I hope to be able to keep throughout the difficulties of my daily life.

Lucia (Slovakia)

It was a real push-forward experience.

While driving to Elati, I left back home as much as I could. And again, after 4 days, when we left, I tried to take with me as many things as I could and try to apply them to my life. After all, this was one of the key ideas that Master and Edith all the time were talking about.

The talks we had with Master and Edith were a real "shocking" experience! I feel that all us were very fortunate that we had such a chance to listen to the teachings of the Master.
Meeting people from all over the world having the same aim in life gives you much more strength. I now feel part of an international attempt, and this is a real change of perspective.

One of the most valuable things I took with me is that now the aim of the esoteric work is much more concrete. Before the retreat this aim was covered with fog. I knew the theory, I (falsely) imagined how things could be, how far away that aim is. Master Belzebuub put the picture before our eyes. He clarified things and gave us strength. Move forward all the time is the message.

Leonidas (Greece)

The Greece retreat was a good opportunity for me to learn and gain strength in the esoteric work. I learned to apply the inner work more and to see the benefits of working within a group. I met so many new people that were only names on a web page before this apart from a photo, and who I can now relate to as real people. The international flavor was quite unique, as it brought so many varied cultures together who combined provided a wealth of experience. I enjoyed the Awareness walks and practices and I was very inspired to take the strength from them away with me and to develop them further in daily life. Thanks to everyone who was there and the Master Beelzebub and Edith for making it possible.

Sabrina (New Zealand)

Since this was my first retreat and the first time I was actually going to meet other Gnostic students, I was very excited. I have been studying the courses online for several years, so I actually had no clue on what to expect from my fellow students in the centers and online. Many thoughts were also about how Edith and the Master would be, if there would be something different to them since they have practiced the teachings for so many years. I can't deny that I was very curious about the whole thing. At the same time, I was also terrified because I don't really like to travel, but everything must have its first time.

I arrived at the airport in Athens and the whole group picked me up; I said hello to almost everybody. There were people from Australia, France, Slovakia, USA, Norway, Spain, England and a handful of Greeks. I got the chance to meet the Master for the first time and my first impression was that he seemed to be a very nice guy - more or less like a regular guy actually. After a couple of hours in the car and eating squid and other strange things at a restaurant, we arrived at the chalets. It was a beautiful place surrounded by forests and mountains.

The following days were dedicated to awareness walks, talks about Gnostic subjects and listening to the Master's teachings. I started to realize that this man wasn't any "regular guy"; he was full of knowledge and gave an impression of strength which gave me a boost. I must say that this was a great opportunity for an online student like myself. I got the chance to experience the advantage of a group, something I haven't experienced before and it was great. It was also very inspiring to listen to the Master when he talked about how he started to teach others, etc. The humour he had made us all laugh several times.

I'm very glad I went on this retreat because it gave me a lot more strength to continue online. So if you are an online student reading this, I can really recommend that you go on a retreat; it's really inspiring and worth it!

Anders (Sweden)